Local and Regional News

In a historic move, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) has elected its first-ever openly gay bishop. The Rev. Dr. Guy Erwin has been elected to a six-year term to the Southwest California Synod, which encompasses the greater Los Angeles area.

Famous Illinoisans from Preisident Obama to Senator Mark Kirk, to sports legends Richard Dent and Ernie Banks have stated their support for marriage equality, and advocates for the freedom to marry say they do have the votes they need to pass the measure in the House. Now they just need the opportunity.

The Benedictine College Ravens forward, Jallen Messersmith became the first active college basketball player to come out as gay following the rise of out athletes from pro and collegiate sports. His Mormon Church family provided support, but the religious leaders anti-LGBT attitudes caused him to leave his childhood church. Messersmith is now comfortable with his sexuality after a dark past of bullying. After being home-schooled, he entered high school and began to use his experience of being bullied to fuel something positive – basketball.

Catholic Cardinal Timothy Dolan, President of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and Archbishop of New York continues to preach anti-LGBT sermons despite the spike in anti-LGBT violence within his own diocese. New York has witnessed twice as many anti-LGBT hate crimes this year than in 2012. Cardinal Dolan calls the attention of Catholic priests nationwide to speak out against marriage equality, which he describes as the "Roe v. Wade of marriage."

The moment of dread for transgender people comes when the question arises on a job application: "Have you ever lived or worked under another name?" It bears a chilling echo of the witch hunts of the McCarthy era's anti-communism trials.

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Accurate Reporting on LGBT Nondiscrimination: A Guide for Journalists.

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